Special to the Gazette
The City of Boston Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) unanimously approved a request for a number of variances to permit the construction of a new, four-unit apartment building at 71A Williams St. at its meeting on January 28.
Attorney John Pulgini and architect David Freed, along with local realtors Paul and Justin Iantosca, the owners of the property, were on hand for the hearing.
According to the ZBA’s agenda, the variances being sought were as follows:
“Proposed new 3 story, 4 family residence, with front & rear decks and parking at the rear of property. The parking will be accessed through a proposed easement with 69 Williams Street.
“Art. 55, Section 8 Use: Forbidden Multifamily Dwelling
“Art. 55, Section 8 Use: Forbidden Basement unit
“Article 55, Section 9 Usable Open Space Insufficient
“Article 55, Section 9 Rear Yard Insufficient
“Article 55, Section 9 Side Yard Insufficient
“Article 55, Section 9 Floor Area Ratio Excessive
“Article 55, Section 9 Add’l Lot Area Insufficient
“Article 55, Section 9 Lot Area Insufficient
“Article 55, Section 9.3Dim Reg: Location of Main Entrance Basement unit side entrance “Article 55, Section 40.5a Parking Maneuverability.
“Art. 55, Section 40 Off Street Parking Insufficient
“Article 55, Section 41.1 Conformity Ex Bldg Alignment.
“Art. 10 Sec. 01 Limitation of off street parking areas.Parking less than five feet from side lot line.”
Pulgini went into detail about the dimensions of each of the four units in the building, which will include a basement apartment. He said the structure, which will have a flat roof, will be in keeping with the scale and use of the majority of the three-story residential structures that predominate in the neighborhood.
He also noted that there will be two parking spaces at the rear of the property that will be accessible via an easement through the abutting property at 69 Williams St.
Pulgini noted that the owners held a community meeting for abutters and others in the neighborhood, and met as well with the Stonybrook Neighborhood Association and the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Council (JPNC), the latter of which voted in support of the project. He also noted that seven letters of support from area residents have been received.
Architect Freed explained that the owners wanted a building “that would fit in with the neighborhood” and presented a rendering of the new structure that demonstrated how it architecturally matches the other buildings on the street.
Jordan Frias, the Director of Policy and Communications from the office of District 6 Councilor Ben Weber, spoke in favor of the project. “Councilor Weber’s support is in line with the JPNC vote,” said Frias.
Jeremie Bembury, the Jamaica Plain Community Engagement Specialist for the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services, told the ZBA members that the developer had fulfilled all of the requirements of the community process by meeting with abutters and the neighborhood associations. He said his office had received seven letters in support and four in opposition.
Rosa Franck of 115 Williams St. said she “vigorously” supported the proposal. “The owners have been incredibly thoughtful in building a structure of three stories that is in keeping with the others in our neighborhood, as well as providing for off-street parking,” said Franck.
Lee Goodman, a long-time and well-known developer in Jamaica Plain whose company, WaterMark Development, is the owner of the adjacent rental property at 69 Williams St. (which is providing the easement for access to the rear parking at 71A Williams), voiced his support for the proposal. “With the shortage of housing that exists, when you can build four homes on a vacant lot, I can’t think of a better use for that property,” said Goodman.
Sally Swenson, the vice president of Fundraising & Communications for the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corp., also spoke in favor of the project. “We support this use of an empty lot of land, especially as regards the creative use of the basement apartment,” said Swenson. “Anything that creates an additional unit of housing and is in keeping with the look and feel of the neighborhood is welcome.”
A representative from the Carpenters Union also spoke in favor of the project to close out the public comment portion of the hearing.
The ZBA members then unanimously voted to approve granting the variances.
In another JP-related matter, the ZBA rejected an application by Hatoff’s Service Station on Washington St. for the installation of additional gasoline pumps in the rear of the property.
That application, per the ZBA’s agenda, was as follows:
“(12-14 Kenton Rd) Hatoff’s gas station expansion.
“Purpose: Expansion of gas station pumps and razing of a building.
“Article(s): Art. 53 Sec. 08 Use: Conditional use permits & variance. Zoning relief required to expand this use. (Existing building at rear of site will be razed per a separate short form permit.)”
The proposal had met with strong opposition by area residents at community meetings and had been rejected by the JPNC.